Statistical Analysis of 126,000 Phishing Simulations Carried Out in 128 Companies Around the World
Open, click and submission rates from 126,000 phishing simulations in 2017, with a view by department.
Archive edition. This report uses 2017 phishing simulation data, so the rates are dated. The idea that some departments open and click more often than others may still help you target training. See the latest
What the data shows
- 126,000Phishing simulation results from 128 companies in 2017 were combined and analysed anonymously.See page 1
- 31.5%Of 2017 simulation emails, 31.5% had the link or attachment clicked.Page 4, in the full report
- 7.9%Of 2017 simulation emails, 7.9% led to the requested information being submitted.Page 4, in the full report
- 1 in 2Employees in Legal/Audit/Internal Control, Management and IT were likely to open a phishing simulation email, based on 2017 department data.See page 2
- 1 in 5Employees in Research & Development, Quality Management/Health and Sales were likely to share requested information, based on 2017 department data.See page 2
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What the report covers
- Executive summary
- Overview
- Statistics overview
- Statistics by department
- Conclusion
Who it is for
Security and awareness leads who want a historical baseline for phishing simulation results by department.
How the data was collected
- Sample
- Over 126,000 sanctioned phishing simulation results from 128 companies
- Period
- 2017
- Source
- Keepnet phishing simulation results from customers who allowed anonymous use of their data
- Note
- Department figures only include customers that grouped employees by department. Per-department rates appear in charts only, and the company count appears on the cover only.
Cite this report
Keepnet (2017). Statistical Analysis of 126,000 Phishing Simulations Carried Out in 128 Companies Around the World. https://keepnetlabs.com/reports/2017-phishing-campaign-review
Figures on this page may be quoted with this citation.
Phishing Simulator
Run multi-channel phishing simulations, not email-only, and measure behaviour before and after.
About this report
It combines over 126,000 results of sanctioned phishing tests run in 2017. The results came from Keepnet customers around the world that allowed anonymous use of their data.
48.2% of phishing simulation emails were opened. 31.5% had the link or attachment clicked, and 7.9% led to information being submitted.
Legal/Audit/Internal Control, Management and Information Technology were the most likely to open and read phishing emails. The report links this to their access to sensitive information.
Keep reading
The Mobile Phishing Visibility Gap
~40%higher click rate on phone-based simulations than on email (Verizon DBIR 2026).Read the key findings
Cut Human-Driven Incidents: A CISO Playbook for Measurable Behaviour Change
76% vs 60%Most large firms train employees, yet human factors still sit behind most breaches.Read the key findings
2025 New Hires Phishing Susceptibility Report
44%more susceptible to phishing: new hires in their first 90 days compared with tenured employeesRead the key findings
2024 Voice Phishing (Vishing) Response Report
6.5%of 3,279 employees called shared sensitive information during simulated vishing calls.Read the key findings
2020 Phishing Trends Report
50.42%of simulated phishing emails were opened by the target in 2019.Read the key findings
2018 Phishing Trends Report
12.87%of simulated phishing emails led to information being submitted in 2018, up from 7.9% the year before.Read the key findings
The State of the Smish Report 2023
74%of organisations experienced a smishing attack in 2021, according to Safety Detectives.Read the key findings
2021 Email Security Vulnerability Report
90.56%of checked malicious test emails reached the target inbox past the security tools in place.Read the key findings
See how Keepnet would act on these findings for you
- Run multi-channel simulationsFrom email through to deepfake.
- See reporting outcomes and the behaviour scoreReporting, repeat behaviour and remediation, in one board report.
- Explore AI agents and automationSee how simulations, training and follow-up can run with less manual work.
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